Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday, 26 July 2026, congratulated Anahat Singh on becoming the first Indian to win the World Junior Squash Championship, calling it a historic moment for the country.

Context

Sarma posted on X: 'History created! Heartiest congratulations to Anahat Singh on becoming the first Indian to win the World Junior Squash Championship. Your determination and excellence have made the nation proud and inspired countless young athletes.' The Chief Minister's message underscored the landmark nature of the achievement, framing it as a milestone not just for squash but for Indian sport broadly.

Anahat Singh is among the most closely watched young talents in Indian squash. Her triumph at the World Junior Squash Championship — an annual tournament organised under the World Squash Federation — marks the first time India has claimed the title at the junior world level, a breakthrough that has drawn widespread attention from sporting circles across the country.

Policy Backdrop

India's push to develop non-cricket sporting talent has been anchored by the Khelo India scheme, launched in 2017, which identifies and funds promising young athletes across disciplines including racquet sports. The programme has channelled resources into grassroots infrastructure, coaching, and competitive exposure for juniors.

Indian squash has registered steady gains at both junior and senior levels over the past decade, driven by federation initiatives and government-backed sports schemes. Several states, including those in the northeast, have stepped up investment in non-cricket sports infrastructure, reflecting a broader policy shift away from a single-sport focus.

Stakeholders and Impact

The win is expected to energise the squash community and encourage uptake of the sport among young Indians who have historically gravitated toward cricket or badminton. Coaches, state sports academies, and the Squash Rackets Federation of India are likely to highlight the result as evidence that sustained junior development programmes can yield world-class results.

For Assam and the wider northeast region, where state governments have actively promoted diverse sporting disciplines, the moment carries symbolic weight. Chief Ministers and state leaders publicly amplifying individual sporting milestones has become an established pattern, using social media reach to broaden inspiration beyond traditional sporting strongholds.

What's Next

Attention will now turn to whether Anahat Singh's success translates into institutional support — including dedicated coaching camps, increased funding, and academy tie-ups — that can sustain India's momentum at the junior world level. The next cycle of the World Junior Squash Championship will be an early test of whether this breakthrough signals a structural shift or remains an exceptional individual achievement. State governments and the central sports ministry are expected to face calls to expand squash infrastructure in the months ahead.